Join Joe McDonald as he expands on Steps 8 and 9 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, offering deeper insights into the process of making amends. In these steps, we take responsibility for our past actions, making sincere efforts to set things right with those we’ve harmed. As the Big Book teaches, amends are more than just saying “sorry” — they require genuine action and a commitment to personal growth.

In one story from the Big Book, a man wrote to his first wife, admitting his faults, asking for forgiveness, and offering to face jail time if she insisted. His willingness to take full responsibility for his actions, despite the fear of consequences, shows the power of living with integrity. As the Big Book reminds us, clearing away the wreckage of the past is essential to finding peace in recovery.

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